Ellen DeGeneres to host 2014 Oscars

Comedienne Ellen DeGeneres is returning to the Oscars stage as the host of the 2014 Academy Awards.

The talk show host, who received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program when she fronted the 79th Academy Awards in 2007, will anchor next March’s show at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

Announcing the big news on Friday, producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron said, “We are thrilled to have Ellen DeGeneres host the Oscars. As a longtime friend, we had always hoped to find a project for us to do together and nothing could be more exciting than teaming up to do the Oscars.

“There are few stars today who have Ellen’s gift for comedy, with her great warmth and humanity. She is beloved everywhere and we expect that the audience at the Dolby Theatre, and in homes around the globe, will be as excited by this news as we are.”

DeGeneres joked about the big gig, stating, “I am so excited to be hosting the Oscars for the second time. You know what they say – the third time’s the charm.”